As she walked across the parking lot, she saw Matt on the field warming up with the other players. He looked supersexy in the T-shirt just tight enough for her to make out the valleys and dips of his chest. His sports shorts highlighted a nicely rounded butt while allowing her glimpses of thick muscled thighs and calves down to sports shoes. He’d pulled on a ball cap.
This had to stop. She refocused and headed for the field. As she joined the others tossing the ball, she called to Matt, “Hey, where’d you get the glove?”
“I found it out in the shed, which seems it has a little bit of everything in it.” With a smile on his face, he pitched the ball to her.
She caught it. Her heart fluttered when he grinned at her.
CHAPTER FOUR
MATT HAD MISSED THIS. He threw the ball to second base from left field.
Before his mother remarried, he’d been on a baseball team. After that his stepfather had said that Matt playing ball was a waste of time and money. That had been the end of his ball career.
He’d liked being part of a team, the camaraderie. Most of his childhood, he’d been on the outside of the family. His stepfather had made Matt feel as if he wasn’t as important to him as his own son and daughter. In college, medical school and afterward, Matt had made a point not to get too close to anyone. Except Dr. Warren who had been his mentor and friend, but even from him Matt had held his relationship with his family back. As good as Dr. Warren was to him their relationship still remained professional.
In an odd way Matt felt more a part of a community today than he ever had. He never thought he had time for this type of activity before. He had always been studying or putting in overtime at the hospital to get ahead. Where had that gotten him when it had been his words against a senior doctor’s? Without a job and starting over.
Maybe when he got to Chicago he’d seek out a place to play some ball. Yeah, like he’d have time for that. He had a whole new learning curve ahead of him.
Shay pulled their team into a circle to give them a pep talk. “I want you to play fair and have a good time.” She looked around the group and grinned. “But I want us to beat these guys. We can’t go home again in defeat this year. Everyone in on it?”
Those in the group whooped and hollered. Matt wasn’t shocked she was such a competitor. He’d seen some of that character at the clinic. He liked that about her.
She stuck her hand out and the other men and women put theirs on top of hers. Matt joined them. “On three, say win. One, two, three.”
Everyone raised their hands and shouted before they trotted out onto the field.
Matt took his position in left field while Shay went to center field.
“You okay over there?” Shay called.
“Yeah.”
She grinned. “Good. Thanks for helping us out.”
“You’re welcome.”
Matt hoped his very rusty skills didn’t fail him. He survived the top of the first inning, and they went in to bat. That part of the game became problematic for him when Shay stepped into the batter’s box. He watched her hips sway as she adjusted to get a good foot position. He swallowed. He shouldn’t notice her that way. They were colleagues. The only problem was the longer he stayed around Shay the more difficult it became to ignore her appeal.
At the bottom of the fifth inning with their team down by one run, his turn to bat came up with bases loaded. The team called encouragement as he stepped up to the batter’s box.
Above all the noise he heard Shay’s voice yelling, “You’ve got this, Matt.”
He wasn’t so sure about that, but he wanted to make her proud. Looking around the bases, then over his shoulder at the crowd and then at his teammates and Shay in particular, he settled his nerves by swinging a few times. Not since his solo surgery had he been this nervous.
The first throw he let go over the plate.
“Strike,” the umpire called.
Great. At this rate he’d humiliate himself. If he just managed a hit the game would be tied or maybe they’d go ahead.
This time the throw went wide.
“Come on, Matt. You’ve got this.” Shay’s voice stood out among the others.
He swung at the next ball. With the pop of the bat against the ball, he ran for first base. The ball hit just behind second base and rolled toward the outfield. As the players scrambled, Matt ran for second base.
Cheers went up. He stopped and watched Shay jumping up and down just outside the dugout. Their team was up by two. Gorgeous in her excitement, she jerked her cap off. Her hair flew around her face. Her shirt flipped up, revealing a tanned and fit-looking swath of skin.
Shifting his focus back to home plate and the next batter, he waited for the man to make a hit. He did and Matt ran, glad for all those regular runs he made. When he crossed home plate, Shay waited for him. Her arms circled his neck as his arms wrapped her waist.
Wiggling against him in her joy, she said into his ear, “You’re our secret weapon.”
The other team members joined in the celebration.
In that moment his chest swelled. It felt good being a part of something outside of the operating room. He’d known a part had been missing in his life but had no idea what. Was it possible to have this feeling more often?
By the bottom of the seventh inning, they were still holding the lead. The best player on their team, he’d soon learned, was up to bat. The pitcher threw the ball. Their man gave the ball a solid shot and it became a line-drive at the pitcher.
Seconds later the ball hit the pitcher and he stumbled forward, landing on his face.
* * *
At a run, Shay followed Matt out of the dugout. She yelled over her shoulder, “Dad, call 911 and get my bag out of my car.”
Matt slid to his knees beside the man. Before he could get words out Shay joined him. Together they rolled Gil onto his back and pulled his shirt up out of the way. A discolored spot the size of a softball showed over his heart.
“Gil, it’s Shay. Gil.” She shook him. The man didn’t answer. His lips had turned blue.
Matt snapped, “He’s in commotio cordis. The ball hit him just in the right place at the right time. We have to start CPR.” Matt placed one hand over the other, beginning chest compressions.
“Someone get the AED machine,” Shay shouted to the crowd. She took her position at Gil’s head. Leaning his head back, she checked his mouth for any obstructions. Inhaling deeply, she pinched off Gil’s nose and sealed her mouth around his and breathed into him until his chest rose.
Matt continued his efforts. Not soon enough for her the crowd parted and the portable AED machine in a lime-green box was placed on the ground beside her.
One of the EMTs who had been playing for the other team joined Shay and Matt, but on the opposite side of Gil. With quick, sure hands, he opened the box and placed the sticky pads on Gil’s chest.
She and Matt moved away from Gil as the machine beeped and the electric shock went into his body. Shay picked up Gil’s wrist and took his pulse. “Nothing.”
The EMT reset the machine.
Her father set her bag beside her. She opened it and pulled out her stethoscope.
Gil’s body jumped again at the shock.
Matt picked up his wrist this time.
With the ends of the stethoscope in her ears, she placed the bell over Gil’s heart. Was that a flutter? She slid the bell to the left. Yes! She looked at Matt for confirmation. His face filled with concentration and eased as a soft smile came to his lips. He nodded.
She looked around the crowd. “We’ve got a beat. Does anyone know how much longer on the ambulance?”
“In ten minutes,” someone called.
She looked at Matt. “We have to prevent shock. We need a blanket here and something to put under his feet.”
A sports bag was passed their way.
Matt took it and placed it under Gil’s feet. A picnic blanket appeared, and he pulled it over Gil.
Shay continued to listen to Gil’s heartbeat. Thankfully it had grown stronger. They closely monitored Gil’s vitals until the ambulance EMTs took over.
She and Matt saw Gil settled in the ambulance then walked over to join the crowd still lingering near the field.
“Way to go.” A number of people patted them on their backs.
Matt looked as humble as she felt.
“I think we’ve both had enough excitement for the day. Are you ready to head home?” she asked Matt.
“Sure.”
They picked up their belongings and started for the car.
* * *
Less than an hour later, Shay drove up Matt’s drive.
He turned to her. “I have to say that was one of the nicest and most interesting days I’ve spent in a long time. Thanks for inviting me.”
Shay nodded. “It was a good day. I could have done without Gil getting hurt but...”
“Will you let me know how he’s doing when you hear?”
“I will.”
Matt opened the door. “Thanks again. The day was one to remember.”
He stood in the drive and watched as Shay drove away. He’d never met someone so completely dedicated to her work and her community. Shay gave them her all. The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to know about her. Where he’d once thought her ordinary, now he recognized her beauty inside and out. Her love hung in her voice when she talked about any of her patients. She considered them all equally important. What would it be like to live under Shay’s umbrella of care?
Later that evening the phone rang. Matt expected it would be Shay letting him know about Gil, but instead it was his mom.
“Hey, sweetheart. I haven’t heard from you in a few weeks and wanted to see how you’re doing.”
He hadn’t wanted to tell her and his stepfather that he’d had to leave LA until he’d settled into his new position. He didn’t want them to worry about him—or worse, be disappointed he left his job. It was important they were proud of him. “I’m fine, Mom.”
“That’s good to hear. How’s Jenna? We’d love to meet her sometime.”
His lips tightened into a line. He’d planned to marry Jenna and hadn’t even introduced her to his mother. What had he been thinking? Jenna deserved better and certainly his parents had. “We broke up.”
“Oh, sweetheart, what happened?” Her disappointment and concern sounded clear in her voice. His mother wanted him to have someone who loved him, to share his life with. She felt he worked too hard and didn’t give enough attention to finding the right person to settle down with. Maybe that was why he’d misread Jenna.
“I decided to move to Chicago, and she didn’t want to come with me.”
“You’re moving to Chicago? When did you decide to do that?” His mother sounded perplexed, concerned and disappointed. “Why am I just hearing about this now?”
A tinge of guilt pricked him. Was he unfair to his mother just because he didn’t want to look bad in the eyes of his stepfather? He feared it was true. For years he’d worked to make the man proud. “I would’ve when I got there.”
“You’re not there now? Where are you? Matt, why do you insist on treating me, us, as if we don’t care about you? As if you don’t have family who love you?”
It had started when he hadn’t felt like he measured up to the standards his stepfather set. He wanted to. Just once he’d like for his stepfather to say Matt had done well. “I’m in Jackson, Mississippi. I’m staying in Henry Warren’s place and working in a clinic until it’s time to go to Chicago.”
His mother sighed heavily. “Will you tell me what happened in LA?”
“I reported another surgeon for a decision that could have killed the patient. He had more clout than me. I saw the writing on the wall and left before I was fired. The upside is I have a good position in Chicago waiting for me.” Matt didn’t even want to think about what his stepfather would say when he heard the explanation. He would probably think Matt should have stayed and fought for his job.
“You’ll be closer to us.” Excitement filled her voice. “We’ll be able to see you more often. Will you come see us soon? It’s been over a year since you’ve been home. Your brother and sister ask about you every time they call.”
Every time they spoke his mother begged him to come home. He always put her off. How could he face them after telling her that story? After he gave it some time, then maybe. “I’ll see about coming before I start work in Chicago.”
“I’d like that.” The expectant note in his mother’s voice made him feel only guiltier.
“I have to go, Mom. I’ll call you soon.”
“I love you, Matt.”
“I love you too. Bye.”
Matt looked at the phone. He hated hurting his mother, but he couldn’t change the years of feeling inadequate. In truth, he’d worked so many long hours for so many years he’d really had a good excuse not to visit more often. But now... He just didn’t want to face them until he had his act together once more. He would go to Chicago, settle in and feel better about what happened in LA before visiting with his family. Then there might be a chance he could handle it.
He envied what he’d seen between Shay and her parents. Shay and the people she knew. Could he find that?
Moments later his phone beeped. He had an incoming text. Shay.
Gil is stable. They are keeping him overnight to be careful. Thanks for your help saving his life.
He typed back, We made a good team.
Shay returned with, We did. Good night.
* * *
Why did the tension in him ease just by receiving a text from Shay? She had a way about her that just made him feel better about himself. He wanted more of that in his life.
* * *
Midafternoon Monday, he received a call from Ralph saying his car had been fixed.
As he and Shay walked out to her car that evening, he said, “My car’s ready. Do you mind dropping me off at Ralph’s?”
“Sure, I’ll be glad to.”
He slid into the passenger seat. “I’ll finally be out of your hair and you can spend less time being a taxi driver.”
“I haven’t minded.”
“I’ve appreciated it.” Now that he’d have his car back, he’d miss their time alone before and after work. He enjoyed their talk of anticipating the day and sharing their day after work. It had been just their time.
He hopped out of the car when they arrived at the garage. “See you in the morning.” Before he could close the door, he asked, “I’d like to take you to dinner Friday night to say thank you for all your help.”
Her mouth dropped open. Had he surprised her? “Uh...no thanks are necessary.”
“Come on, Shay. I get tired of eating alone even when the casseroles are good.”
Both her hands gripped the steering wheel and she looked out the front window. “I don’t date.”
“As in me or in general?” He watched her.
“I’d say both.”
He leaned his head farther into the car. “Could we maybe make it a business dinner between colleagues? Not call it a date, if it bothers you that much.”
Her gaze returned to him. “I haven’t been out with a man since I got married.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Six years,” she said quietly.
His forehead wrinkled while disbelief rang in his voice. “You haven’t been on a date since your husband died?”
She glared at him. “Yeah. I know that sounds pitiful, but you make it sound like I have some type of rare virus.”
“I’m just shocked. I figured a woman as attractive, intelligent and loved in the community as you are would have plenty of men wanting to tak
e you out.”
“I didn’t say I hadn’t been asked. I just haven’t been interested,” she said softly.
“How about making an exception for me? If you’re afraid of being seen with me then how about we go to Natchez?”
Shay thought for a minute. She let go of the wheel and smiled. “No. Jackson has plenty of good restaurants.”
“Then it’s a date. I mean dinner get-together.”
She raised her chin as if she had made a major decision. “I think I’d like to call it a date.”
He suddenly felt excited about life for the first time in weeks. “A date it is.”
* * *
On Friday evening Shay opened her front door to Matt with a drumming heart. She refused to admit to herself or anyone else how much she’d looked forward to the evening. Sheree had asked more than once why she wore such a smile.
She’d glanced at Matt one too many times at lunch and had gotten caught. Sheree had winked at her and grinned. Just before Sheree had left for the day, she’d popped her head in the office and looked around.
“Okay. What gives between you and the hunky doctor?”
“Nothing.”
“Those looks you keep giving him isn’t nothing.” Sheree pinned her with a look.
“He invited me to dinner to say thank you for driving him around is all.” Shay sounded defensive even to her own ears.
“If he just wanted to say thank you he could’ve bought you a card. It’s way past time you started living again. This is a good time to do that. And a great guy to do it with.”
Shay went hot, embarrassment washing over her.
“I’ll want to hear all about it on Monday. Every little detail. Have a good time. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Sheree chuckled.
Over the next few hours Shay built the evening up into more than it should be. Now she was confident it couldn’t live up to her imagination.
“Come in.” She opened the door wider for Matt. “All I need to do is get my purse.”
Taming the Hot-Shot Doc Page 5
